Coolaney and Tubber through
COOLANEY/MULLINABREENA TUBBERCURRY 0-12 1-8
Tubbercurry are through to this year’s Belfry Senior Football Championship semi-final despite Sunday’s narrow defeat to Coolaney/Mullinabreena.
The result, coupled with St Mary’s win over Eastern Harps means Tubber, Coolaney and St Mary’s each finish Group One on four points. Tubber’s superior points difference over the two means they progressstraight into the last four, while Mary’s and Coolaney must be content with places in the quarter-final.
Tubber were dealt a blow even before a ball had been kicked in Curry. Talisman
David Kelly ruled out through injury. However, there was more than capable replacement waiting in the wings in the shape of Steven Kilcoyne.
The forward getting the scoring underway with less than a minute played when he sent over the first of his 1-3 for the day.
The Achonry side didn’t take long to reply. Corner forward Kieran Finan making the most of the breeze, guiding the ball between the posts with a simple free.
Kilcoyne battled through a series of challenges to secure his second, but slack defending from his back-line allowed Coolaney captain Criostior Davey and Conor Gorman slip in around the back. Davey thumping over his first of four points.
Connell Ryan spurned a great chance to put Tubber back in the lead with ten gone when he sent a free in front of goal wide.
the lead shortly after courtesy of a strike from distance from Brian Morohan.
Coolaney striking back seconds Kilcoyne on hand to show his team mate how it’s later with O’Brien’s fourth and done on the returning attack as he collected Brian O’Kennedy’s second. Morahan’s ball before bustling his way past his Another score from way out marker and firing over. from McGee tied the game once
A fine left footed effort from Coolaney’s Shane more at 1-7 to 0-10 with ten minO’Brien levelled proceedings, but the black and white utes of this encounter remaining. were back ahead on 19 minutes when goalkeeper A tense finish ensued. Colm McGee ventured forward to pick out the first Davey had his fourth from his of his three long range scores. right foot, while another free from
Coolaney turned this game on its head within the just inside the 45 line gave ‘keeper space of a minute. McGee his third.
Kevin O’Kennedy making the most of ample space Coolaney turned down three to boot the ball over, while Shane O’Brien fisted over decent opportunities to make another score to see Padraig McGourty’s side lead things more comfortable for themfor the first time. selves, when they hit three wides
Coolaney made hay while it shone and found in quick succession. themselves three to the good with half-time looming. But they did have the final say
O’Brien calmly waiting for the ball to arrive in his on 55 minutes when sub Raymond grasp before following through on his shot. Connolly’s shot dragged Coolaney
While Davey stretched the lead after a hop ball back into the lead, 0-12 to 1-8. when Colm McGee was adjudged to have taken too Tubber thought they’d levelled long over a kick-out. the game once again two minutes
Both sides were to register one more score each from time. before the interval. Coolaney leading by eight points Kilcoyne looked like he had his to five at the break. fourth of the night, only for referee
Tubber suffered another set back when they were Conor Conway to mark off the forced to withdraw captain Brian Curran because score after brief consultation with of injury. his linesman.
But they showed no signs of falling back early in This, despite the umpires the second half. awarding the score.
Eoin McDonagh pulled off a sensational block to The decision enraged both Tubdeny substitute Cian Gilmartin, but there was little ber supporters and manager Pat the Coolaney goalkeeper could do about Kilcoyne’s Kilcoyne, who was sent behind the left footed finish to the corner of the net from Luke dugout in light of his protestations. Gilmartin’s assist four minutes later. Incredibly, Kilcoyne was left
Pat Kilcoyne’s men found themselves back in empty handed again moments
later when Conway adjudged his next kick towards goal to have gone wide.
But the 2014 winners had only themselves to blame in added time. McGee’s first free from the 45 line sailed wide, while his second missile was easily cleared by the Coolaney defence.
Tubbercurry: Colm McGee (0-3); Oisin McCann, Brian Murphy, David Brennan, Rory Ryan, Cathal Surlis, James Kelly (Cian Gilmartin HT); Niall Murphy, Eddie McGuinness; Dylan Henry, Brian Curran (Stephen Matthews HT), Connell Ryan; Brian Morahan (0-1), Steven Kilcoyne (1-3), Luke Gilmartin (0-1) (Jason Perry 62)
Coolaney/Mullinabreena: Eoin McDonagh; Stephen Barrett, Aidan Coleman, Kevin O’Kennedy (0-2); Conor Gorman, Declan McCormack, Conor McCormack; Stephen Connolly, Barry Gorman (Raymond Connolly HT) (0-1), Sean Gorman, Shane O’Brien (0-4), Niall Connolly, Daniel Davey, Criostoir Davey (0-4), Kieran Finan (0-1).
Referee: Conor Conway.